Caroline Laner Breure, a former perfectionist in her youth, possessed a restless and ambitious nature, marked by an independent spirit. This drive prompted her to depart her native Brazil post-graduation and relocate to Sydney, pursuing her aspiration of residing in Bondi while embarking on global travels with her partner.
Describing her earlier mindset, Breure shared with Guardian Australia, “I felt the need to excel in every facet of life. Whether in relationships, work, or friendships, my pursuit of perfection was unwavering. However, now I have shifted my focus.”
Her life took a dramatic turn during a vacation in Spain in September 2019 when a car accident altered her trajectory completely. The impact of the collision caused her head to collide with the car’s windscreen before propelling her body into the air, resulting in a severe injury that left her unconscious.
Breure’s recollection of the incident is nonexistent. Collaborating with Bradley Taylor Greive, a renowned author, they meticulously reconstructed her journey, including the accident itself, culminating in their co-authored book, “Broken Girl.”
Following the accident, Breure was placed in a medically induced coma and diagnosed with a grade-three diffuse axonal injury in a Barcelona hospital, where her survival odds were a mere 5%. The book vividly portrays her hospitalization experience, likening it to an artistic blend of “Botero meets Hieronymus Bosch,” capturing the surreal essence of her mental state.
The aftermath of the injury left Breure with Wernick’s aphasia, necessitating her to relearn basic functions and skills she once took for granted. Her recovery journey was arduous, involving various therapies to regain physical and cognitive abilities.
Despite the challenges, Breure’s resilience shone through as she navigated the complexities of her altered reality, grappling with newfound limitations and societal perceptions of her transformed self. Her return to Australia unveiled a sense of isolation and misunderstanding, prompting a poignant visit back to the accident site in Barcelona to confront her past and embrace her present.
As memories resurfaced and perceptions shifted, Breure embarked on a journey of self-discovery, shedding light on the complexities of her pre-accident life and the emotional turmoil that followed. Ultimately, she found solace in starting anew in Portugal, embracing her imperfections and rewriting her narrative beyond the confines of her past struggles.
Through her collaboration with Greive and the publication of “Broken Girl,” Breure aimed to demystify the challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury, advocating for understanding and acceptance. Despite the lingering impact of her accident, she embraces her journey with a newfound sense of self-assurance, proclaiming, “It’s been four-and-a-half years, and I feel like I’m perfect as I am.”
“Broken Girl” by Bradley Trevor Greive and Caroline Laner Breure is set to be released by Hachette Australia on 27 March.